Calls (2021– ) User Reviews

Turn off the light. Lie down. Close your eyes. And listen to the calls.

[Movi3DO · 9/10 · 23 April 2021]

A TV series on Apple TV+. It's 9 episodes with conversations between multiple people on the phones, and we had the chance to figure out the stories, just by listening.

This had to be one of the most unique, stressful, and thrilling experiences that I have with a series. Each time, the conversations started out fine and realistic, but then they become more anxious and thrilling. On the screen, there were hypnotic and abstract waves that simulated the conversations. However, I found that just listening and not watching the video created a profound experience where I could imagine what was happening.

My only problem was that once I figured out the story, which was fairly early on, the subsequent episodes became a bit predictable.

Overall, an awesome and thrilling experience. Watching in the dark boosted the thrilling feels. 9/10.

Fantastic first season

[shaunmcevoy-98833 · 9/10 · 20 March 2021]

Watched Calls in it's entirety in just one day. I must say it was really enjoyable I had an absolute blast watching this show. So many creepy episodes, it's so amazing how every episode is connected and its all linked. I really hope this gets renewed for a 2nd season genuinely excellent show with such a unique concept.

WORTH A WATCH.

[andrewchristianjr · 9/10 · 3 November 2021]

Calls delivers a scary, sinister yet empathic and human story. Through the use of immersive, hypnotic and beautifully sound designed filmmaking. If you like science fiction and immersive storytelling, this is definitely worth a watch, or should I say listen? Anyway, some have said this is just a podcast with fancy background, but I don't think so. This series differs from other podcast-like series by having extraordinary talented actors and actresses.

Wow!

[akshunhiro · 9/10 · 21 March 2021]

I'm not entirely sure if this series was borne of COVID or not, but what a great format and concept! It was bone chilling!

I know that there are a lot of people complaining that this is no more than a radio play, but first of all, what was so bad about radio plays? For those with imagination, you can conjure up visuals in your mind far more horrifying than a filmmaker can. Let's not forget that War Of The Worlds created panic in the streets when it was first aired on radio.

Secondly, it's not just a radio play. The visuals are very subtle but they do a lot to tell you who is talking to who and without them, it would be confusing. You may not have realised but the visuals also subtly tell you what condition the callers are in, what environment they're in. That in and of itself was creepy AF. As the conversations progress, even though you can only hear, you can see that some of the callers are deteriorating, dying horribly. Others are in extreme distress. Some are cool and collected. It's really genius.

My one quibble is that I felt as though it should have had the *other* ending, leaving the series on a extremely disturbing note rather than how it did end. But, I'll say that at least there is room for season 2, which I fervently hope there will be.

I think this marks a new genre in film, one that can be used extremely effectively with intelligence and imagination. The horror genre has almost been ruined by ever increasing gore and the temptation to show the audience just that little bit more for shock value. There's only so many ways you can kill a person on screen. There's nowhere left for filmmakers to go. Except here, to the world of Calls, where all things are possible again. With the technology of today, the audio play format can be pushed as far as it can go. This has huge potential, was probably created in people's houses and for far less money than other productions.

We have almost lost the capacity to imagine and to visualise, taking for granted that everything we want is always right before our eyes. We've gotten lazy. But if done right, a clever filmmaker can make you scare the absolute crap out of yourself by doing something very like what was done with Calls.

Pretty decent SciFi presented an interesting way

[steve-case · 8/10 · 17 December 2021]

Knowing nothing about this show, I decided to check out IMDb. I was confused as to why the rating was relatively high when the show was apparently just about a bunch of phone calls. I'm glad I decided to give it a try. Being a sci-fi fan, I binged watched every episode on my iPad.

The visuals are part of the story. You pick up pretty quickly that they are "Visual time streams." I found I could connect and anticipate plot points, not only by listening, but by watching how the visuals change. As the episodes progress, things become ever more interconnected. I believe the show was helped by having several well-known actors participate in it. They make it possible for the viewer to experience the most important thing with science fiction: suspension of disbelief.

Some reviewers have suggested just listening to the show, like an old radio serial. I believe it's much better to listen AND watch the visuals, because they help guide you through the events. For me, it turned out to be a really interesting way to experience something like "black mirror," but in a VERY different way. I think anybody can enjoy the show, but people who like science fiction with a touch of thriller will probably be its core audience.

Since it's not a heavy investment, each episode is only about 15 minutes, watch at least the first two episodes. By then you will know if you want to stick with it or not.

Follow the voices...

[xxmisssvxx · 8/10 · 20 March 2021]

For those curious about this should know this series plays out over various voice calls of strange occurrences paired with sound waves. You are immersed into the stories simply by listening (and reading) the voice communications taking place between past and present. And unexplained phenomena, if you will.

For some, it will make sense but for others it might be confusing, yet it keeps your attention throughout the entire series. Some of the conversations are creepy but occur naturally. It's interestingly refreshing, different.

I personally enjoyed this and look forward for the second season. I recommend this if you're curious to dive deep into it.

This Is Mind Blowing!!!

[maria-maria-328-520664 · 10/10 · 15 April 2021]

Wow just wow! Such fresh breeze of air, so unique and so captivating! If you're a fan of Stephen King, good sifi and some chilling horror then you must watch it! Yes there are no pictures, but that just sparks your imagination even more to paint all the colors and to focus on the actual story. I sat down and didn't get up till I finished entire series. Do the same and you'll have goosebumps the entire time, I promise.

Scary Screensavers

[Horror_Flick_Fanatic · 7/10 · 18 August 2021]

I like the stories and how you have to use your imagination to visualize what is happening. It's certainly is different and I would recommend LISTENING to these stories from a cell phone using headphones instead. I felt silly watching the first episode in the dark on the big living screen. Kind of reminded me of the intro of the old "The Outer Limits" tv episodes from the early 60s

Kudos to "Calls" for getting people to READ and LISTEN more.

Acting without actors/actresses

[GabrielGray · 8/10 · 23 March 2021]

Never thought I'd enjoy a mini series starring Windows Media Player visualizations (LOL) so much. You can even call it an audio book if you like. The diversity in story settings, step by step unraveling of a main storyline is so irresistible that you just can't stop watching the whole season all at once.

The acting (or I should rather say voiceover?) of every role here is something to wow to. Without knowing a single face behind those voices, I was set in the middle of intense drama knowing perfectly what the owner of them must be like on screen. No spoiler alert but be ready to shed some tears at certain point.

Hats off Apple TV+, this show is one of a kind.

Captivating & Impressive

[Hawkins88 · 21 March 2021]

I can't get over how good this is! On one side it's so simple because it is just dialogue but the excellent writing and outstanding voice talent elevate it to something else entirely. Each conversation takes hold and pulls you in with impressive mastery. The wavelength and frequency graphics are a nice touch too and add to the whole captivating experience. Please give this a shot for yourself (Especially if you're into the sci-fi/horror genre) and ignore the negative reviews. Yes, it is just audio but it's more than that too.

It's different...

[hoboss2806 · 7/10 · 19 March 2021]

And it's nice. It's a whole new category and it's like watching a podcast/audioplay. The trippy visuals (like those from windows media player) match the conversations.

The content is somewhat predictable.

So in conclusion, just download the audio and listen to the stories. There's actually no need to "watch" a podcast/radio piece/audioplay.

Something for the haters to read, if they can

[connorhawke · 9/10 · 11 December 2021]

I mean no offense, but my only thought reading the negative reviews is the haters may be illiterate or have a disorder that would preclude them from being able to enjoy something through the use of reading, auditory sensory input, imagination, beautiful effective visuals and a captivating sci-fi story. I'm sorry for these individuals, although am nonetheless surprised they managed to write their reviews using actual words they had to type and view on a screen (like those in the show).... That must've been a lot of work for them. Or they used a transcriber.

On a more serious note (not that the preceding wasn't serious), it did NOT cross my thoughts even once that the lack of live action or animated humans would be an issue. The sleek, colorful waves that dance around the screen uniquely combine with the tactical resizing and locations of subtitles to capture the plights told by the overall terrific voice actors obscenely well, and amplifies the part where the viewers' imagination comes in to complete the picture.

Virtually all books I've read are better than their screen adaptations, and this multimedia book of sorts manages to intermingle the literary, audio and visual dimensions painfully well, not unlike its subject matter.

interesting concept

[forthemovies · 7/10 · 12 March 2022]

Calls is an interesting series that explores the phone dialogues between the characters that eventually lead up to a mysterious and disastrous event. The series lets you visualize the dialogue between the characters in each episode. The journey in each episode takes you on a fascinating experience. The graphics throughout the series add a nice visual appeal to the engaging conversations. An impressive and interesting concept that was very unique.

Really Apple???

[fcookprorig · 1/10 · 20 March 2021]

Apple really dug deep into the pockets for this😂. The cinematography will just blow you away. Let's just call a spade a spade, it's a glorified audiobook....

Give it a chance! It's great!

[Just-A-Girl-14 · 9/10 · 5 April 2021]

When I heard about the show I was excited. I liked the concept a lot. Unfortunately I did not like the first episode but I'm really happy I kept on watching. I was skeptical and worried I won't get the closure and answers by the end of the season. Luckily I was wrong and I did. I don't want to spoil it for anyone so I'm just going to say it's definitely worth watching and if you're like me and you don't like it at first or you are skeptical, all I can say is give it a chance! There are 9 episodes and each episode is between 12 to 20 minutes so you can really binge watch it in one sitting.

I really enjoyed it!! Thumbs up!! 👍

Now we're talking!

[henrycoles9 · 10/10 · 19 March 2021]

I can't believe this is the first good thing to come out of Apple TV+ this year. The thrill, the suspense, the emotion, the menace, the quick turns, the graphics. It was absolutely amazing!

This was insanely good

[ruipericles-56921 · 10/10 · 21 March 2021]

You need to watch this in order, it's not an anthology. Episode after episode, it will make more and more sense until it comes full circle in the end. Everything is so coherent and well thought out, the writing is marvellous. They put an amazing cast together in this weird premise - and it turned out amazing. It's disturbing, intense, suspenseful and addictive - a real gem born of this pandemic.

PerezReviews.

Very good

[Conkieh · 9/10 · 25 March 2021]

This was much better than I thought it would be. I get it's not for everyone but some of the reviews are just childish. Maybe stick to Marvel or Anime next time.

Somewhat interesting.......BUT!

[deacon_blues-88632 · 6/10 · 20 March 2021]

An atheist version of the apocalypse! As a culture, we no longer are concerned about offending God, so to fill the vacuum we now are terrified about somehow offending the universe! Or, should I say, the multiverse?

The first episode is definitely intriguing, but after that the stories become more and more silly. The universe is disintegrating because 350 people survived a flight that should have crashed. Didn't we do this over and over with the "Final Destination" films (of which they made far too many!)

But now the whole universe is at stake because some errant scientist developed a machine for the big, bad government that inadvertently upset the "balance of the universe!"

One thing really stumped me, though: how did a general contact his F16 pilots in a parallel universe 5 hours behind his own time and get them to believe that commercial airline flight 908 was a threat to all of humanity? Wouldn't that violate the balance of the Multiverse as well? Or, is it only future knowledge that SAVES lives that upsets the balance. Why would the Multiverse be so sensitive about people not dying, but ok with people who are try to survive being murdered by the military? Anyway, apparently his threat to shoot down the airliner failed for some reason and flight 908 landed safely--at least in one possible universe in the multiverse.

But since the universes within the multiverse branch from each other based on varying decisions, why would such a change threaten the collapse of the multiverse? Perhaps it's because of the communication of "illegal future knowledge" to the past as the cause of an illegitimate branch? That seems the only plausible explanation.

My, my! This new multiverse deity seems far more fickle and arrogant than any of the older ones! Don't mess with the Multiverse!

An interesting assertion made in the 8th episode especially caught my attention: we must have faith in science! Thus the man behind the curtain is unmasked at last! He is a shaman, just like the old priests, wizards, and witch doctors of the past! Science no longer is about empirical demonstrations based on experimentation, now it demands faith, just as any other religion of the past!

The cast is stellar and they all do a very nice job. But I won't be at all worried about myself or anyone else offending the god of the Multiverse at any point in the foreseeable future.

Unless, of course I receive a strange phone call from my future self........

Some good chills

[bogdan-64813 · 8/10 · 19 March 2021]

Really enjoying this star studded offer from Apple TV that merges soundwaves with audio to show a series of phone calls that happen over the course of the epidode. P{robably not going to be "down enough" with the kids of today, but if ytour old enough to have listened to ghost stories on the radio this is pretty amazing stuff. Episofde lengths vary between 10 and 20 minutes and if you watch/listen in the dark with the volume up it could get you right on the edge.

Feels like it's on the wrong service

[shiraz-black · 6/10 · 20 March 2021]

Plot: meh. Script: decent at first, silly later. Voice acting: brilliant. Visual effects: brilliant. Sound effects: incredible.

Overall: a major streaming service felt like the wrong place for this.

While it's crafted well enough for what it is, it really feels more like an experiment one would expect from a clever film school student, or something you'd find on Vimeo that gets a lot of likes and attention at best.

This is the first time I thought to myself: "oh Apple, is everything alright, honey? Do you need some money, sweety?"

Wow!

[ashleylduke · 10/10 · 14 January 2023]

This is such a fresh and unique concept. I absolutely loved it. Once you realize it's all somehow connected (by the second or third episode probably but I can be slow to do that) and get the full crazy butterfly effect as it goes on - wow. There's a lot of tension! I would like to say though it should be a flash warning at the beginning of every episode because it was a bit much for me and I imagine anyone else sensitive to flashing on the screen it would be a bit much too. I need to write 122 more characters so this is it - if you like built up tension drama with an artsy concept this is for you!

Good concept

[baunacholi-86159 · 6/10 · 25 May 2021]

Nowadays almost every production is heavily into special effects. No big movie or tv series without the obligatory visual dog and pony show. Calls, for a change, is different. Nope, it did not invent radioplay (think about the iconic The War of the Worlds from 1938) but what it does well, it pays tribute to this kind of almost forgotten entertainment. So yes, it's worth to watch / listen if u are up for something unusual. The individual stories seem to be disjointed with a creepy start but move step by step more into strange and finally in the sci-fi genre (which is also the ultimate reveal). I have to say I liked the 1st 5 to 6 stories more than the sum of it. It got in my POV repetitive and looses tension.

A pretty flawless thriller with a similar but in every aspect more intense manner is The call by Chung-Hyun Lee.

It's NOT a TV show, it's a radio show.

[duckboy-94171 · 1/10 · 20 March 2021]

This is absolutely ridiculous, this is nothing but a 1940s horror radio show, save yourself the headache of watching because there's NOTHING TO WATCH !!!!!!!

The most bizarre amazing thing I have ever seen

[candacehayward3 · 10/10 · 26 January 2022]

This show is the greatest thing I have seen in a long time the concept is never before the the whole thing is just superb. I wish that there were more episodes because I'm itching to watch more of this show.